(a) Any employer who refuses an employee access to personnel files as provided in this subchapter shall be deemed in violation of this subchapter and shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 for each violation. A civil penalty claim may be filed in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) Any employer who discharges or in any manner discriminates against an employee because that employee has made a complaint or has given information to the department pursuant to this subchapter, or because the employee has caused to be instituted or is about to cause to be instituted any proceedings under this subchapter, or has testified or is about to testify in any such proceedings, shall be deemed in violation of this subchapter and shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 for each violation.